In response to the outcry, a Lidl spokesperson issued a statement expressing “regret” over any offense caused.

“As part of our changing action weeks, we — like all retailers — take seasonal or holidays as occasions for our marketing activities.

“We offer special promotional products or reduce selected products in price, sometimes significantly, for a limited period of time, which is always very well-received by our customers. We regret that our current promotion causes some displeasure with some of our customers, and we take the feedback very seriously.”

And it was only a matter of time until rival chain Aldi teased its competition for its embarrassing blunder with a new advertisement of its own.

“If you also think that on Mother’s Day you should leave the sewing machine or the trouser steam iron by Lidl Deutschland, then give the wonderful mothers of this world a little more,” it reads.

In a bid to redeem itself, Lidl has since removed the advertisement and is instead promoting jewelry and handbags for Mother’s Day.